Desvenlafaxine for Anxiety User Reviews

• Anony...
• February 8, 2020

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I'm in love with Pristiq. I had a breakdown where I was just overstressed, and I couldn't stay awake. I slept for 3 days straight. My doctor put me on Lexapro, which made me feel annoyed. I went back and asked him for some Valium. For 2 years, I took Valium every couple of days but wanted to get off it as it's not good long term. However, I couldn't stay awake without it, and my anxiety was really peaking when I didn't have it. I was scared to try antidepressants again, but my doctor said Pristiq should work, so I tried it and fell in love with it. I've been on it for 3 years, and it has done wonders for me. I only take a 50mg dose, which has really calmed my anxiety down and dulled my flight reflex. My doctor wanted me to start coming off it, but I have no interest in doing so until my kids are big. I feel I cope so much better when I am on it. I'm so grateful to that doctor for convincing me to try it. In the beginning, I felt a bit out of it and high for about a week, the tight jaw and shaking that went away soon."

• Bob
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 1, 2020

"I felt the need to provide my experience here after reading so many other comments. This drug has quite honestly saved my life. Anxiety, nervousness, control issues, and related anger issues would rule my behavior and was taking a major toll on my family. I've been on this drug for many years now, and it turned everything around for me completely. I'm able to live a somewhat normal and happy life specifically because of this medication. I know everyone's situation is different, but taking this medication was one of the best decisions of my life, and I have no problem continuing to take it for the rest of my life."

• Anony...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 11, 2024

"This med has saved me. I felt like a new person after 3 weeks of taking it. Been taking it for 10-11 months. Last summer, even after 8 months of counseling, I couldn’t function from anxiety. This med gave me the boost I needed to be able to live again. As I understand it, it’s just giving my brain what it should have but doesn’t! I had minor side effects on and off for 2 weeks or so - headaches and a general nauseous feeling in my stomach. I could still eat fine; eating didn’t make it worse or better, so it was a slight annoyance more than anything. I noticed some reviews say they can’t sleep - my doctor said take it in the morning! I have no problems with sleeping. Also, don’t forget to take it - I did that once and had a bad headache that night! I just set a reminder. :) I previously had tried Lexapro for 8 days. I knew something wasn’t right. My doctor said this was a good alternative for people whose bodies don’t agree with Lexapro."

• OilPa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 17, 2019

"I've been on Pristiq for anxiety for over half a decade and honestly I think it's great. Sure it's a bit of a crutch. But I've managed to achieve my university degree, meet, marry and bare children with the love of my life all while under the influence of Pristiq. I was actually prescribed Pristiq due to my anxiety and it has worked a treat. It's worth noting that I am on 200mg a day and every time I get my script filled the doc has to call up poisons control. But it's all good in the hood for me. Just have it with my coffee in the morning and try and get on with my life. I've achieved a lot while on Pristiq and I'm sure it has given me additional confidence and makes me more sexual, lasting and sensual. It's been win win win for me."

• EJK
• November 13, 2018

"I researched this medication for a year before deciding to try it because I was so nervous about side effects. I have had terrible side effects from other medications that were recommended for anxiety, including Lexapro, propranolol, Ativan, and buspirone, and they didn't noticeably decrease the anxiety (never mind the actual nightmare of coming off Ativan). I decided to try adding Pristiq, which was on my 'recommended' list from genetic testing. The side effects I have experienced are EXTREMELY minor and my anxiety began to abate within only a week. It got better every week I was on it, and I've now been taking it for nearly six months. The difference is night and day. I experienced insomnia for about the first two weeks I was on it. I also experienced constipation. I feel like I sleep better with it. I take 50 mg a day. I know Pristiq is not for everybody and I was very nervous about taking it, but I'm so glad I tried it. I plan to keep taking it as long as it works."

• raul
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 23, 2024

"34-week update. Had to come back and share my update. It’s been amazing. I’m putting myself in situations that would previously provoke panic and anxiety and haven’t had a panic attack in 7 months. I’m speaking in conferences of 200+ people, able to give presentations on the fly, social anxiety completely non-existent. For those of you reading this worried about side effects, just go for it and don’t look back. I was once there reading all the comments on this site. My marriage is way better, got promoted at work. Life is good. Believe me when I tell you, there is light at the end of the tunnel. I did have H. pylori. Search the connection between it and psychological issues. No longer stressed out all the time. I did gain 30 lbs, but I think it’s because I no longer have health anxiety. I honestly thought anxiety was going to kill me eventually. Spent a lot of money with different doctors because I couldn’t accept that it was all rooted in anxiety disorder."

• Jay
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 11, 2019

"Before I began this medication, I had terrible anxiety. I was barely functioning. I am currently on day 13 and I really started to notice a difference on day 10. They say it takes months for symptoms of depression to improve but this works pretty quickly for anxiety. The side effects I am experiencing are constipation and brain fog. Hopefully that lets up, but I am feeling much better without being constantly anxious. My anxiety has gone from a 10 down to a 2 on a 1-10 scale."

• Eve
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2023

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I started taking Pristiq for anxiety and agoraphobia and it REALLY helped me!! However, it took a long time to kick in but I’m so glad I stuck with it. I started on 50mg and after 8 weeks I honestly didn’t feel much different, I thought this wasn’t going to work, then we bumped up to 100mg and that’s been the sweet spot for me! I just feel so so much better in daily life, I’m able to attend social gatherings and visit restaurants without having full-on panic attacks and being absolutely consumed by anxiety. It’s been about 6 months now and I just feel so much less scared of the world. My only side effect is being way more constipated than I used to be, but I’m working on this because I don’t want to go off Pristiq anytime soon. Give it a try and see if it works for you because it’s really changed my life!"

• JMano
• February 18, 2020

"This drug has been amazing for me. I have always been a little anxious but no issues. Then I had appendicitis that hospital failed to diagnose despite repeated visits for 8 days. This progressed to peritonitis and sepsis and I was in hospital for 5 weeks, after nearly dying. I went back to work ASAP and then realised I was on the brink of a breakdown. Constant crying and hospital flashbacks and unable to sleep. I went to a new GP desperate for help and he recommended Pristiq. I had the first four days of side effects - bad headache, feeling out of sorts, constipation - but after two weeks I felt better. The anxiety? Turned off like a tap. No more constant running of negative thoughts or traumatic flashbacks. It has been amazing. Only issue I have with it now is some days I feel utterly exhausted but it’s not every day, and the freedom from the anxiety is the best - I am a better partner and better colleague. I’ve never taken anti depressants before and I’m a convert now."

• June
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2019

"I have suffered from moderately severe anxiety for most of my life. No depression. I took Paxil CR for about 3 years and it worked very well for about 2 years, then stopped working. Switched to Pristiq and feel much better. It took about 3 weeks to notice any change in my anxiety, but it definitely works. I've been on 50mg for a month now. Only side effects are dry mouth and some excessive tiredness, but that is so much better than being on edge all the time. Some reduced appetite, nausea and insomnia when first beginning this med but has since gone away. Only gave 9/10 because I'm only a month into this med and probably haven't reached the full benefit yet. Also take Xanax a few times a week (1mg), and while that works amazing for situational anxiety, it doesn't work for generalized all day everyday anxiety. Pristiq is working very well for me! Hope I don't jinx it."

• Prist...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 25, 2018

"Please give this drug a try if you are unsure. For years I have tried to avoid taking medication due to an extremely negative experience with paxil as a teenager. Over the years I have tried natural remedies such as hypnotherapy, therapy, bodytalk, reflexology, meditation and exercise. I have always suffered from extreme shame and severe anxiety. I hit a recent downward spiral of depression and I was scared of what might happen and called my doctor. I have been on pristiq for 2 months and regret not taking it sooner. My anxiety is at an all time low and my depression has subsided. My motivation has returned and even my confidence. I was scared to try it with all of the negative reviews but so happy I did. I initial noticed loss of appetite and trouble sleeping the first 2 weeks then after that it has been smooth sailing. The only issue I now struggle with is trouble reaching orgasm but if that's my only issue. I'll take it. I have also continued body talk and therapy"

• Mara
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2020

"After being on Venlor for a year and a half, the medication suddenly stopped working during my final year of high school, ensuing in a damn difficult year emotionally and mentally. This year May, I decided to try Exsira (generic of Pristiq - cannot get the generic in my country). The first 4 weeks were difficult with difficulty sleeping in the first week, heightened anxiety, and waking up so fatigued and drained throughout the day. Most of the side effects subsided except the fatigue which truly became debilitating - especially during quarantine. So I'm officially stopping this medication soon and trialling another. Reminder - Just because this medication didn't work out for me, does not mean it won't for you. I had such hope that it would work because Venlor did, but everyone is different. Don't let horrible reviews discourage you, everything is worth a try to be happy, so keep at it! Sending my best to all of you struggling, you got this <3 Mara, 18"

• Jam
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2020

"I have severe Anxiety, PTSD, MDD and so have been taking Pristiq for seven days now. The first three days I was zonked and did not feel emotions, prior to this I was experiencing nightmares and anxiety attacks from childhood trauma along with vivid memories which would make me feel like I was reliving the event, so starting off zonked was not bad for me. For the past two mornings, no where near as dopey but I have woken and almost instantly have "anxiety belly" I can feel the stressful thoughts trying to seep through but they're not as loud as usual. Today is my seventh day, I woke up and today my anxiety belly is not as bad but still there. I really hope my physical anxiety will cease with the medication. Sick of not being able to live my life :("

• Linds...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 6, 2013

"I have been on this medicine for about a year now, and I have to say it has completely changed my life. I suffer from extreme panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. It was to the point that I could not be left alone without having a panic attack. I couldn't drive on my own, had trouble going to work, it was spiraling into a dark depression, so I finally decided to try some different medicines to see which would work the best. I tried Zoloft, and it intensified these feelings of terror. I tried to stay on it but just could not stand it any longer. Then I found Pristiq; it has been an absolute miracle to me. I can do more now than I have been able to for years! I am elated to have found this. I feel like I can face the day!"

• Loving...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 18, 2019

"I used to have severe anxiety to the point where I had to drop out of public school and began online school. I couldn't leave the house to even get the mail, all curtains had to be closed, and I started getting extremely depressed. After 2 years of therapy and countless medications with no positive effect, my doctor prescribed me Pristiq. A few months later, I was almost anxiety free and back to public school. That was a little over a year ago, and I'm now the happiest I have ever been. I have little to no anxiety or depression anymore. The only problem I've ever had with this medicine is the withdrawal when I forget to take a dose of it (extreme dizziness and brain fog) but that's avoidable."

• Nanin...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 5, 2020

"I used to have terrible panic attacks and have had anxiety since I was a kid. Pristiq took my anxiety away. A lot of people say it didn't help them or gave them terrible side effects but for me, it was a life-changer."

• Char
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 2, 2017

"I have been taking Pristiq for about 8 months. No problems, no side effects, my anxiety was magically gone. I have tried several medications and had side effects to all of them so I was amazed when I had 0 side effects to pristiq. This month my formulary changed and my insurance forced me to change to desvenlafaxine succinate ER instead of name brand. A week later I feel like I'm detoxing. Dizziness, light headedness, achy muscles and my anxiety keeps creeping up on me. I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem?"

• Sara...
• June 16, 2016

"I have suffered from extreme anxiety all my life, although I did not discover the true identity of my problem until after my father's death in 1996. I had a hard time dealing with his death, and went into therapy. It didn't take long for my therapist to tell me the true nature of my problem. I was put on a couple of different medications, but nothing really worked for me until I went on Pristiq. This medication has made me a new person. I no longer obsess on minutiae, and I have become a serene, calm individual. Nothing really bothers me anymore. Pristiq has made my life worth living; I can't recommend it highly enough."

• jelopa
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 21, 2014

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I take Wellburtin XL 150mg and Pristiq and have been since 2009. Tried to go off of Pristiq twice because my sodium level is a bit low. Within a month of being off of Pristiq I got my old anxiety attacks, panic, insomnia, etc., so the positive definitely outweighs the negative. Hopefully, my sodium will be corrected now that I'm seeing a specialist for it, but for me Pristiq and Wellbutrin XL work wonders and I don't plan to go off either ever again."

• Mousie
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 20, 2020

"I have only been on this for 11 days, I’m really tired during the day ,and can take a three hour nap, my doctor said about three weeks and it would be a great change for me. I’m looking forward to the serotonin clicking in my brain!!! I get a bit shaky, and a bit dizzy, Little bit of brain fog. I figure after three weeks if this continues then I won’t be taking it. But honestly I’m looking forward to it working. So I’m doing this with a positive attitude!!!"

• Rafae...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 22, 2015

"I was very sceptical when my doctor recommended Pristiq, mainly because I read many very negative reviews on a lot of sites. As a result my prescription sat in my draw for 2 months. Then one particularly bad day I decided to try it, best thing I ever did! I felt better after 3 days, after taking it now for 5 months, I feel like my old self again. No panic attacks, no molehills feeling like mountains. Just calm & at long last peace. But the best thing is I lost 10 kilo's, I can only put it down to Pristiq, because I'm certainly not on a diet. I just feel as hungry as I used to when I was depressed, then I just ate to feel better, not that it worked. But for now I am feeling very happy & blessed."

• Anonymous
• February 2, 2012

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "PRISTIQ HAS SAVED MY LIFE. Fourteen days ago I went to a psychiatrist because I was having suicidal thoughts and anxiety disorders that were paralyzing me with fear at 3:00 AM, I would sit up in bed and could not get to the other end of the black tunnel. I didn't enjoy anything I used to (I love fashion, I love my pets, I love New York City) and I was walking around wanting to die. Two weeks later, I am ME again. I am laughing, I am happy. I'm enjoying people, my work and am in the process of getting sober which has been much better with the help of Pristiq. I was feeling so uncomfortable in my skin I could barely sit still at work. Now I am meditating and can be still in my body. I am calm and peaceful and content."

• Anonymous
• September 6, 2009

Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) "I've been on this medication for 4 weeks now. While I'm sure the benefits are still yet to take full effect I still feel confident in saying this drug has been a major success! I've been diagnosed primarily with anxiety and major depressive disorders, and have been on Paxil, Zoloft, Remeron, and Effexor. I was told to try this for it's less likely occurrence of side effects. No sexual side effects! Finally, this kicked in by week 1 with the others. No weight gain- in fact I've lost 5 lbs with no change in diet or appetite (though I've heard it's common.) I have had a little insomnia, but for me the benefits outweigh the negatives. Hope this helps someone!"

• LydiaJ
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 14, 2014

"I started taking Pristiq and noticed a huge improvement within 2 days. I had been experiencing immense anxiety which made me scattered and often manic. The mood swings and feelings of doubt, inadequacy, perfectionism and worthlessness brought on by my anxiety had become overwhelming and caused me to sink into major depression. All of these feelings lifted largely withing 4 days of Pristiq. I feel focused, more interested in my old hobbies, much less anxious in general, and no depression. I do not feel foggy or like a different person, rather I feel like my old self. Minor SEs including dehydration (fainted once) and aching jaw."

• Nina
• November 22, 2020

"Okay I suffer from PTSD childhood trauma. Fast forward I want my life back and decided to seek help. All the therapist are booked and backed up due to people struggling with mental illness since this quarantine and covid stuff. So my primary dr got me on this medication because I was losing it I felt it. Three weeks now I feel amazing. I will say this medication you shouldn't forget a day or two like I did because I felt so sick and run down. Nausea and body aches wow. I know its helping me because I'm more positive and don't feel so worthless anymore."